The Johnston Senior Center’s third annual Dinner & Rock ‘n’ Roll Show featured music from the 1950s to 1970s and attracted a sellout crowd of 150 people on Saturday night.
“It seems like this event is like fine wine,” said Mary Cerra, a member of the center’s Advisory Board. “It just gets better with age.”
It was obvious that months of planning went into the event, which was an overwhelming success thanks to countless donations and volunteers including the center’s staff and even some members of their families.
Take Denise Bell, the center’s coordinator, for example. She not only initiated an idea for a small lounge-café area to be set up in the center’s exercise room, she also enlisted the services of family members who did everything from sell raffle tickets to man the bar.
Likewise, Santilli’s husband John – along with the couple’s friends Cindy and Ron Galipeau – volunteered to sell tickets for the multi-prize raffle that was enhanced by WPRI news anchor Mike Montecalvo, who brought along his wife and joined center Advisory Board chair Rhonda Sasa and her husband Sam.
“There wasn’t one flaw in this operation and it showed from the food to the entertainment and good, old-fashioned fun,” said Steve Mullane, Johnston’s town sergeant who owns and operates Sheik Hair Salon on Atwood Avenue.
Many people echoed Mullane’s sentiments and were amazed with the generosity of people like Steve Palmieri, who owns and operates D. Palmieri’s Bakery on Killingly Street and again donated all the night’s food.
“Words cannot express our thanks to Steve and D. Palmieri’s Bakery,” said Tony Zompa, the center’s executive director. “His generosity has been endless as far as the center is concerned.”
The same holds true for Peter Lombardi, who also enjoyed “cutting a rug” with his wife and donated all the night’s wine and beer to help boost profits.
“Peter is another reason for tonight’s success,” Zompa said. “He’s not only a member of our Advisory Board, he made this unbelievable donation and even purchased tickets.”
Zompa also praised Starzz Entertainment, headlined by Steve “Elvis” Quirini, along with Janine Andrews, Donna Gonsalves and her husband Perry of Spellbound Sounds, and super saxophonist Jack Martone of the R & R Revue.
“This is a super special event,” said Lisa D’Ambra, the booking coordinator for Starzz Entertainment. “The event was perfect from A to Z. Steve and I are honored to be part of such an important and fun-filled event that helps the senior citizen community of Johnston.”
Others contributing to the night’s success were Golden Crest, Capitol Ridge, Cherry Hill Manor, Brookdale Pocasset Bay, Greenville Center, Briarcliffe Manor, Concord Health, The Bridge at Cherry Hill, Peter Lombardi, and D. Palmieri’s Bakery.
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